Testing process begins for Canberra light rail

Track preparation and testing are now underway on Stage 1 of Canberra’s light rail network, in preparation for its opening at the beginning of 2019.

For the rest of 2018, track preparation and testing will commence from 6:00pm to 6:00am Sunday through to Thursday with occasional Friday night and Saturday night works to be expected. Carrying out the testing process at night will enable construction works such as landscaping and building the light rail stations to continue during the day.

The testing has started between Mitchell Depot and Gungahlin Place Stop (Areas 1 and 2). First, the track will be cleaned by a diesel-powered vehicle called a “unimog” that will travel along the section in several passes.

This is to be followed by the electrification of the newly installed overhead lines and power stations located close to the track and final checks power system for the light rail over a period of several days.

After the completion of the line energisation process, the tracks will be ready for rail vehicle (LVR) testing to be conducted, with will involve low speed trials of the rail alignment, with LRVs travelling at speeds of 5km/h increasing to 20km/hr, with speeds increasing gradually up to the final operating speed of 70km/h. Brake testing will be carried out at the same time.